September 17

Posted on Sep 17, 2017

Leonard Sheldrake reminds us that “No work is more noble or fraught with more blessed possibilities than sowing the seeds of the gospel.” What to sow? “The sower sows the word” (Mk 4:14). When should we sow? “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good” (Eccl 11:6). Where do we sow? “Blessed are you who sow beside all waters” (Isa 32:20). How should we sow? “He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor 9:6). And the result? Great rejoicing! “He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” (Jn 4:36). So who provides the seed—and the strength to do the sowing—and the bounty of the harvest? “May He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness” (2 Cor 9:10).